The Phoenix Suns are one of the NBA's biggest surprises through the first quarter of the season, sitting at seventh in the West with a 19-14 record.
The culture that first-year head coach Jordan Ott culminated with a roster that was projected to be one of the worst in the league is undeniable, but what if there was a move this trade season that could push the Suns over play-in contention and as a formidable playoff team?
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale brought in the new year by listing three trade targets for each NBA roster, and Phoenix's list included a superstar with one of the highest ceilings of any player entering the league -- New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.
The list also included Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall and Los Angeles Lakers sharpshooter Rui Hachimura. Marshall may not fit Dallas' current plans, especially if Anthony Davis is dealt and the Mavs officially move into a short retool.
Hachimura has been one of Los Angeles' most likely-dealt players on the roster this trade season. His scoring ability at the forward position would be a seamless fit on Phoenix's roster.
Breaking it down
"Getting a bigger forward with more offensive juice to squeeze would go a long way for the (still) surprisingly plucky Phoenix Suns," Favale wrote. "Someone like John Collins verges on ideal, but at this point, if you're giving up one or more of Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks and Royce O'Neale, you need to aim higher.
"Enter Zion Williamson.
"Mortgaging the farm for his services is a no-no. Fortunately, the Suns don't have much left to mortgage. Zion is the star-sized gamble you make if the New Orleans Pelicans are looking for matching money—like, the injured Jalen Green plus stuff—and not much else."